The holiday season is a time for creativity and warmth, and what better way to decorate your home than with unique, DIY ornaments made from upcycled materials? Not only do these projects help reduce waste, but they also add a personal touch to your festive decor. From old fabric scraps to leftover mason jar lids, you can turn everyday items into beautiful ornaments that reflect your style while being eco-friendly.
Here are DIY holiday ornament ideas using upcycled materials to add charm and sustainability to your celebrations.
1. Fabric Scrap Star Ornaments
Put leftover fabric scraps to good use by transforming them into star-shaped ornaments. These soft, colorful decorations add texture and charm to your tree.
How to Make Them:
- Cut star shapes from fabric scraps using a template.
- Sew two pieces together, leaving a small gap for stuffing.
- Fill the star with cotton, scraps, or leftover fabric pieces and sew the gap shut.
- Attach a loop of ribbon or twine to hang the ornament.
Why It Works:
This is a great way to reuse fabric and create ornaments that can match your tree’s color scheme.
Pro Tip:
Use patterned fabric or mix-and-match colors for a playful, eclectic look.
2. Mason Jar Lid Snowflakes
Mason jar lids are the perfect base for crafting rustic snowflake ornaments. This project is simple yet stunning and works great for farmhouse-style holiday decor.
How to Make Them:
- Clean and dry old mason jar lids.
- Paint the lids with white or silver spray paint.
- Use hot glue to attach twine, beads, or small sticks in snowflake patterns on the lid’s surface.
- Add a ribbon loop for hanging.
Why It Works:
Mason jar lids are durable and easy to decorate, making them ideal for upcycling into holiday ornaments.
Pro Tip:
Add glitter or metallic accents for extra sparkle.
3. Upcycled Sweater Baubles
Turn an old, worn-out sweater into cozy, textured ornaments. These upcycled baubles are perfect for creating a warm, hygge-inspired holiday vibe.
How to Make Them:
- Cut fabric pieces from an old sweater large enough to wrap around a plastic or foam ornament base.
- Wrap the sweater piece around the base and secure it with hot glue or fabric glue.
- Tie the top with twine or ribbon, leaving a loop for hanging.
Why It Works:
This project gives new life to old sweaters while adding a cozy, wintery feel to your decorations.
Pro Tip:
Use cable-knit or textured sweaters for an extra visual impact.
4. Cork Reindeer Ornaments
Wine corks are small and lightweight, making them perfect for turning into adorable holiday ornaments like reindeer.
How to Make Them:
- Use one cork as the body and half of another cork for the head. Glue them together.
- Attach small twigs as antlers and glue them to the head.
- Add googly eyes and a red pom-pom for the nose.
- Tie a loop of ribbon around the body to hang the ornament.
Why It Works:
Wine corks are easy to work with and make whimsical ornaments with minimal effort.
Pro Tip:
Paint the corks brown for a more polished look.
5. Jar Lid Photo Ornaments
Create personalized photo ornaments using leftover jar lids. These ornaments are perfect for preserving cherished memories.
How to Make Them:
- Print small photos and cut them to fit the size of the jar lid.
- Glue the photo to the inside of the lid.
- Decorate the edges with ribbon, lace, or glitter for a festive touch.
- Add a loop of ribbon or twine for hanging.
Why It Works:
Photo ornaments make your tree feel personal and nostalgic, adding warmth to your holiday decor.
Pro Tip:
Seal the photos with clear adhesive or Mod Podge to protect them.
6. CD Shard Ornaments
Give old CDs a second life by turning them into dazzling ornaments that reflect light beautifully.
How to Make Them:
- Cut old CDs into small shards using sturdy scissors.
- Glue the shards onto a cardboard or foam ornament base, shiny side up, to create a mosaic effect.
- Attach a ribbon loop for hanging.
Why It Works:
The reflective surface of CDs adds sparkle and shimmer to your tree without the need for glitter.
Pro Tip:
Handle CD shards carefully to avoid sharp edges, and use gloves if needed.
7. Tin Can Lid Angels
Recycle tin can lids into elegant angel ornaments that are perfect for both traditional and modern holiday decor.
How to Make Them:
- Clean and flatten tin can lids.
- Use hot glue to attach small pieces of ribbon or lace to create the angel’s body and wings.
- Add a small wooden bead or a button for the head.
- Attach a loop of twine or ribbon to the top for hanging.
Why It Works:
This project uses up metal waste while creating stunning and timeless ornaments.
Pro Tip:
Spray paint the angel in gold or silver for a polished, festive look.
8. Paper Roll Stars
Toilet paper or paper towel rolls are great for creating simple, elegant star-shaped ornaments.
How to Make Them:
- Flatten the rolls and cut them into 1-inch rings.
- Arrange and glue five rings together in a star shape.
- Paint the star with metallic or white paint.
- Add glitter or beads for extra sparkle and attach a loop of ribbon to hang it.
Why It Works:
Paper rolls are easy to upcycle, and the star design is simple yet beautiful.
Pro Tip:
Add a light dusting of fake snow for a frosty effect.
9. Light Bulb Snowmen
Old or burned-out light bulbs can be repurposed into charming snowman ornaments. This craft is perfect for families and kids.
How to Make Them:
- Paint the light bulb white and let it dry.
- Use permanent markers or paint to draw the snowman’s face and buttons.
- Add a small piece of fabric or ribbon as a scarf.
- Wrap the base of the bulb with twine to create a hanger.
Why It Works:
Light bulbs have a perfect snowman shape, making them ideal for festive upcycling.
Pro Tip:
Use glitter paint to add a frosty finish to your snowman.
10. Pinecone Ornaments with Ribbon
If you have pinecones in your yard, you can turn them into rustic ornaments with just a few embellishments.
How to Make Them:
- Clean the pinecones and let them dry completely.
- Spray-paint them white, gold, or silver, or leave them natural for a rustic look.
- Add a bow or ribbon to the top and attach a loop for hanging.
- Sprinkle glitter or faux snow on the edges for extra detail.
Why It Works:
Pinecones are free, natural materials that are easy to transform into holiday ornaments.
Pro Tip:
Pair pinecone ornaments with greenery or berries for a woodland-themed tree.
FAQs
1. What materials can I upcycle for holiday ornaments?
You can upcycle glass jars, tin cans, wine corks, old sweaters, CDs, light bulbs, fabric scraps, paper rolls, and more!
2. Do upcycled ornaments last as long as store-bought ones?
Yes, with proper care, upcycled ornaments can last for years and often have more sentimental value.
3. Can kids help with these DIY projects?
Absolutely! Projects like pinecone ornaments, fabric stars, and paper roll stars are great for kids, with adult supervision for glue or cutting.
4. How do I make ornaments more eco-friendly?
Use natural or biodegradable materials, avoid plastic decorations, and upcycle items you already have.
5. How do I store upcycled ornaments?
Store them in sturdy boxes with tissue paper or bubble wrap to prevent damage, especially for delicate materials like glass or CDs.
6. Can I gift upcycled ornaments?
Yes! Handmade ornaments make thoughtful and personalized holiday gifts. Add a tag with a short note for an extra touch.
7. Do I need special tools for these projects?
Most projects only require basic tools like scissors, hot glue, paint, and ribbon, which you likely already have at home.
8. How do I make ornaments look cohesive on my tree?
Stick to a consistent color palette, such as metallics, neutrals, or traditional red and green, to create a unified look.
9. Can I use broken items for ornaments?
Absolutely! Shards from broken CDs, glass, or ornaments can be upcycled into mosaic-style decorations.
10. What are the benefits of making upcycled ornaments?
Upcycled ornaments are budget-friendly, eco-conscious, and unique. They also allow you to express your creativity and reduce waste.
By crafting your own ornaments with upcycled materials, you can celebrate the holidays in style while promoting sustainability. Get creative and enjoy the process of transforming everyday items into festive treasures!